Juba, South Sudan. – The European Union (EU), the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and TradeMark Africa (TMA) are working together to facilitate cross-border trade in Africa with a €10 million project in Nimule, South Sudan, close to the border with Uganda.
The ‘Nimule One-Stop Border Post Project’, an initiative under the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy, is a four-year project aiming at facilitating cross-border trade by streamlining customs and immigration procedures, improving border infrastructure, and strengthening trade facilitation.
The project will support both the public and private sectors, while placing particular emphasis on empowering women and youth in small-scale cross-border trade.
Smooth border crossing is not only boosting trade but also a confidence building measure between the trading countries and contribution to preventing conflict.
A stakeholder validation workshop is currently being held in Juba to mark the launch. This workshop brings together government officials, development partners, private sector actors, and civil society representatives.
Speaking at the workshop, Massimo Scalorbi, Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to South Sudan highlighted the value of an inclusive approach. “Today’s event is not just about launching the project. It is also about ensuring that the voices of government, private sector and civil society are heard and reflected. Inclusivity is key to the EU Global Gateway Strategy, which focuses on partnership, sustainability and impact,” Mr. Scalorbi said.
Hon. Atong Kuol Manyang, South Sudan’s Minister of Trade and Industry, emphasised the importance of aligning projects such as this one with national priorities. “This project launch and validation workshop is an important step in ensuring that the Nimule One-Stop Border Post project effectively addresses the real needs of South Sudan. By working together with our partners, we are creating the conditions for smoother trade flows, job opportunities and long-term economic growth for our people,” Hon. Atong said.
The UNOPS Country Manager in South Sudan, Mrs. Petronella Halwiindi, also emphasised the need for collective accountability. “This workshop has allowed us to jointly validate the project’s objectives with our partners and stakeholders. By doing so, we are building ownership and accountability from the very beginning, which is key to delivering sustainable infrastructure and trade facilitation reforms that benefit South Sudanese communities,” Mrs. Halwiindi said.
Underscoring the significance of the partnership, Anna Nambooze, Country Director for TMA in Uganda and South Sudan, said: “TradeMark Africa (TMA) is proud to partner with the European Union and UNOPS in delivering the Nimule One-Stop Border Post project. Through this initiative, TMA will strengthen efficiency at the border by applying proven EAC protocols, enhancing coordination among border agencies, digitising procedures, and equipping a modern border laboratory for confirmatory testing. The project will also boost the competitiveness of cross-border traders, with a special focus on women and youth. By upgrading infrastructure and streamlining trade processes, we are not only reducing transaction costs and unlocking new economic opportunities but also building trust among countries along the transport corridor and laying a strong foundation for sustainable regional integration.”
The project will be implemented by UNOPS and TradeMark Africa (TMA) through a multi-partner contribution agreement. UNOPS will oversee infrastructure development, including the construction of a climate-resilient administration building and a dedicated women’s and youth market. TMA will focus on capacity building, automating trade processes and strengthening quality and safety inspections at the border.This initiative is part of the EU Global Gateway Africa–Europe Investment Package, which supports sustainable development and stronger economic ties between Africa and Europe. It contributes to a broader vision to improve regional integration through the Cairo–Khartoum–Juba–Kampala Strategic Corridor, which should enhance trade, mobility and investment across Africa and between Africa and Europe.